Preparation, self-assembly and performance modulation of gold nanoparticles decorated ferrocene-containing hybrid block copolymer multifunctional materials

Gold nanoparticles decorated stimuli-responsive copolymer hybrids, poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl ferrocenecarboxylate)-block-poly(N-isopropylacryamide) decorated with gold nanoparticles, were synthesized through two-step successive RAFT and ensuing in situ reduction. The hybrids could self-assemble into interesting micelle structures from globular, wormlike to rodlike shapes by altering the quality and compositions of solvents and ionic strength, and exhibited multifunctionality including quasi-reversible electrochemical behavior, redox-stress responsiveness and temperature sensitivity. The physicochemical and electrochemical properties were modulated by tailor-making the system compositions and redox reaction. The copolymer hybrids were expected to broaden their applications in nanobiomedicine including targeted drug carriers and magnetic resonance imaging, optical, electrochemical catalyst, optoelectronics and sensors etc. (C) 2018 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.